Thursday, December 30, 2010

Meanwhile . . .

We didn't send Christmas cards this year, and of all years we should have started the Christmas letter update, this was one. I'm thinking maybe a happy new year card with a review of 2010 is the best approach. Originally, I wasn't much of a Christmas letter fan, but the older I get, and the more people move around, I see great value in them. At least it's a way to keep relatives, lost friends, etc. in touch with how your life is progressing. And that, in fact, it is.

Anyway, here's my start for the card. This is a scan of the original with no touch up. I printed one out and touched up the light letters with colored pencils and it improved it mucho. The scribble text at top right (to which my husband commented "you can't even read this") is a piece of a scribble journal written on coffee filters. I can say whatever I want because I write over it every which direction and it will never be read. It's a lovely idea, produces interesting texture for use in various places and is Very cathartic. In this instance, it is covering some small writing that I hated. I'm not crazy about that corner.

I used Zig markers for the letters. The black marker suffers from a lost lid and I had to dip it in some black watercolor occasionally, but I actually like the faded charcoal effect. The purple is way too dark for my liking. It did make me realize though that I need to invest in some new markers, new colors. (As an aside, anyone who ever wants to buy me a gift, Zig calligraphy markers are great! Gift certificate from Paper & Ink is another idea:)

5 comments:

Cindy said...

I like your card! Tell me about the scribble journel. I googled it, but only found sites that want to sell you a journal.

Connie Dooley said...

Cindy: The scribble journal is my own invention. You can write on anything, but I like to use coffee filters since I'm always thinking I might end up using them in a project. You write just like you normally would, you pour out your heart, getting all the evil out of your system saying things you'd never ever say to anyone in a million years. At the end of the page, or section, turn the paper 90 degrees and keep writing. Keep doing that. Keep doing it. Finally, at some point, you will have come full circle, so to speak. I also use a different color pen for each "round." Fine point sharpies are good to use on the filters. I like the texture and ease of writing with those. Another reason I like coffee filters is the shape. The circular gives a little bit of rhythm to the catharsis. As I describe this to you, I'm thinking I should do a post about this with some visuals. Happy New Year.

Cindy said...

What a great idea. I don't journal, but I could see where this is a great way to get rid of those thoughts all of us have that we don't want anyone to know about! Would love for you to write a post about this with visuals. Happy New Year!

Sara said...

What a great idea! Thank you for sharing your process.

Kathleen Botsford said...

I love this card! I was contemplating taking a caligraphy class and I am using this post as my "sign" to sign up! AND your scribble journal is exactly how I journal. Sometimes i make little pockets to put the words in so they are more private. I like it's texture on your card too.